Studies will continue in Huron-Kinloss and South Bruce, as the two Bruce County communities are included amongst the five remaining as Canada researches a permanent home for used nuclear fuel.

The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) has eliminated the communities of Blind River and Elliot Lake from studies and will focus its efforts in the site selection process for a used fuel deep geological repository on the two Bruce communities, as well as Ignace, Manitouwadge, Hornepayne in northern Ontario from the original 22 that expressed interest in participating.

“We are grateful to have worked with communities in this area and for the outstanding leadership they have shown on behalf of all Canadians through their involvement in this process,” said Dr. Mahrez Ben Belfadhel, NWMO's vice president of site selection. “The decision to narrow our focus is part of an ongoing, rigorous process to identify a single, safe site in an area with an informed and willing host and strong potential for the partnerships that will be required to implement the project.”

Technical studies and engagement with people in the area identified a number of factors that would pose challenges in siting a repository.

These include complexities associated with the geology, limited access and rugged terrain, and low potential to develop the breadth of partnerships needed to implement the project.

In recognition of their leadership, the municipal and First Nation communities that led siting activities in the area will be eligible for funding to support investments in community sustainability and well-being. Blind River, Elliot Lake and Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation will receive $600,000. The neighbouring communities of Spanish and The North Shore will receive $300,000.

The contributions will be made to their community well-being reserve funds.

Since 2010, the NWMO has been engaged in a multi-year, community-driven process to identify a preferred site for a deep geological repository for Canada’s used nuclear fuel. The NWMO expects to be in a position to select a preferred site by about 2023.

The purpose of the NWMO is to develop and implement, collaboratively with Canadians, a management approach for the long-term care of Canada’s used nuclear fuel that is socially acceptable, technically sound, environmentally responsible and economically feasible.

The NWMO was created in 2002 by Canada’s nuclear electricity producers, with 2017 marking 15 years of operations. Ontario Power Generation Inc., NB Power Nuclear and Hydro-Québec are the founding members, and along with Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, fund the NWMO’s operations. The NWMO operates on a not-for-profit basis and derives its mandate from the federal Nuclear Fuel Waste Act, which came into force in November 2002.